Mick McCarthy admits losing winger Michael Kightly for the rest of the season is a massive blow but insists he has the squad at Wolverhampton Wanderers to cope.

Kightly suffered a broken metartarsal in his left foot on Tuesday in a behind-closed doors training game at Wolves’ Compton Park training ground and has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

The England Under 21 ace will also miss the European Under 21 Championship Finals in Malmo, Sweden, and is due to undergo an operation later this week to put a pin in his toe to help his recovery.

McCarthy said: “It is really disappointing both for ‘Kights’ and the team.

“Of course it is a blow but unfortunately it is part of football and we at least have got players who can come in like Matt Jarvis who is back training again and should be in contention for Monday’s big top-of-the-table clash with Birmingham City.”

Kightly himself admitted he was devastated missing out on his side’s last six games of the season.

“I am absolutely gutted,” he said. “To miss the last six games when we are in the position that we are is the worst thing that could happen.

“If everything goes as well as we hope and we end up getting promoted then I will have missed out on all the excitement and the celebrating.

“I will be watching and supporting as much as I can but it kills me to say that when I am so desperate to be involved.”

Kightly’s injury came as he joined team-mates in a training game against Shrewsbury Town and after he had set up new team-mate Marlon Harewood, on loan from Aston Villa, for Wolves’ opener in a 4-1 victory.

Ironically, the 23-year-old had been left out of the Under 21’s match at Nottingham Forest to play France that night as he worked to ensure his fitness for Wolves’ final push towards promotion to the top flight.